Evangelical Lutheran Worship ‎#450

450. I Bind unto Myself Today

1 I bind unto myself today
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three.

2 I bind this day to me forever,
by pow'r of faith, Christ’s incarnation,
his baptism in the Jordan River,
his cross of death for my salvation,
his bursting from the spiced tomb,
his riding up the heav'nly way,
his coming at the day of doom,
I bind unto myself today.

3 I bind unto myself today
the virtues of the starlit heaven,
the glorious sun’s life-giving ray,
the whiteness of the moon at even,
the flashing of the lightning free,
the whirling wind’s tempestuous shocks,
the stable earth, the deep salt sea
around the old eternal rocks.

4 Christ be with me, Christ within me,
Christ behind me, Christ before me,
Christ beside me, Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort and restore me.
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ in quiet, Christ in danger,
Christ in hearts of all that love me,
Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

5 I bind unto myself the name,
the strong name of the Trinity
by invocation of the same,
the Three in One and One in Three,
of whom all nature has creation,
eternal Father, Spirit, Word.
Praise to the Lord of my salvation;
salvation is of Christ the Lord!

Text Information

• First Line: I bind unto my self today
• Title: I Bind unto Myself Today
• Author (attributed to): Patrick, 372-466
• Paraphaser: Cecil Frances Alexander, 1818-1895
• Meter: Irregular
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2006
• Topic: Baptism of Our Lord; Holy Baptism; Holy Trinity; Trust, Guidance

Tune Information

• Name: ST. PATRICK'S BREASTPLATE
• Meter: Irregular
• Key: g minor
• Source: Irish melody (sts. 1-3, 5); Irish melody (st. 4)